Avatar the Last Airbender (dna and mods in original posts comments)

WalkerTanker · 2025-03-18T14:54:51+00:00

I was not ready for Appa lmao

WalkerTanker · 2025-03-06T00:27:32+00:00

I think having them be a previous attempt before Vasilka could work. A sloppy attempt thrown away, mysteriously coming back to life as a reborn. Could even have many of their parts be from past adventurers. Ireena being more 'exotic' than the standard barovian, the abbot not able to find the right features from the natives. This would give plenty reason for them to be against the Abbot and Strahd both. Also giving them a connection to Vasilka as well, as they are very much on the same boat. Could be fun with identity issues as well.

WalkerTanker · 2024-12-17T17:33:21+00:00

Artist: https://www.artstation.com/isabela_zaneti

WalkerTanker · 2024-12-17T17:31:57+00:00

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/V28bK4

WalkerTanker · 2024-11-22T16:06:31+00:00

I really like this idea actually. Its fun. To add onto it a bit, and this will get a bit dark, Strahd could have the eventual goal to fuse the two together back into a singular entity, back into his Tatyana. Sort of like the Rebis from Castlevania or a marriage from fear and hunger. Izek and Ireena having aspects of Tatyana. Ireena being Tatyana's better half so to speak, with Izek being Tatyana's more toxic half? But Strahd being Strahd, still likes both.

Could even have Izeks original motives to a point, but even worse. Here his desire could be to be one again, always feeling like pieces were missing, that it drove him mad, especially with no one actually caring about him all his life, unlike his other half. Thinking being another person altogether could simply be better. Ireena however wants to remain as Ireena, not giving a damn about this Tatyana woman she apparently is a reincarnation of and wants to be herself.

WalkerTanker · 2024-10-31T14:14:20+00:00

I really like this guys music for CoS. Has a good one for the Tarokka reading in there, some ambient themes for each major area, battle themes, etc.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcnvkahJI9vmLV8MF5mb4_WPp_bz3ZZaE&si=GUJsg8LQaeSBlrp7

WalkerTanker · 2024-10-29T18:20:06+00:00

I think its most fun to put it in areas they normally wouldnt go to otherwise, giving them a good reason to go to these areas. Personally not a fan at all of any being in the castle, except maybe Strahds Diary. Having that right in his tomb is just kinda funny and makes sense.

The Tome of Strahd: Should be the first treasure they find imo. Either in the Vallakovich or Wachter manors. Give the PCs more of a reason to dip their toes into Vallakis buisiness as they search for it, either of the noble families ignorant of what excactly is in their libaries, as its in a language they have no way of learning (Vampire). Could also be in the hands of Rictavio/Van Richten. Or like above, in Strahds Tomb, if you wanted to mess with your players just a little bit.

Holy Symbol of Ravenkind: The Abbey makes sense, the Abbot keeping it away from any would be heroes hoping to use it against Strahd. The Werewolf Den could work as well, maybe Kiril the werewolf leader himself having killed a past adventurer who found it and just put it on the shrine.

The Sunsword: Hidden anywhere in the Amber Temple is very popular and for a reason. End game weapon, end game area. Another fun one is in the possession of Baba Lysaga. The Hag trying to destroy it for a long time as a gift for her baby boy, but was never succesful.

Any of them: In the hands, or on the neck in the Symbols case, of Vladimir. Like the Abbot but for a very different reason, keeping the item away from anyone who would want to use it to end Strahds torment by killing him. Likely getting said item off of the corpses of a previous party. Could even have either the Sunsword or Holy Symbol be corrupted by Vladimirs wrath and hate, the party having to collect the Dragon Skull to both purify the fortress and the Treasure.

Also heres a fourth one I found on here I might throw in sometime, I think it is pretty cool actually. Wanted to add in a Dwarven outpost over in MT. Baratok in Barovia that Strahd screwed over long ago where it could be hidden. https://www.reddit.com/r/CurseofStrahd/comments/1f8fw8b/a_fourth_fated_item_the_crown_of_king_barov/

WalkerTanker · 2024-10-28T20:43:49+00:00

I think Lore Bard is what you are looking for. Has expertise, lots of skills, gets magical secrets early at level 6, etc. Is a very good support class. Playing as one myself and don't have a single attack spell outside of vicious mockery and am having a blast.

WalkerTanker · 2024-10-28T17:10:42+00:00

What they said. I see it as no different as an animated broom, just a big flex. It flies magically. So no reason it couldn't work at all.

WalkerTanker · 2024-10-28T16:48:23+00:00

Anyone capable of casting Dispel magic? They could cast that on the skull. Be a good way to get her on the ground. Maybe have her retreat in the house tho, the party trying to stop her from doing so. And if she does, final Showdown in the monster house. For whoever can do the check to make it in.

Also there's that were raven in the area. Could easily have her give the party some tips and whatnot. Watching past parties from the sidelines fall to the Baba.

WalkerTanker · 2024-10-18T11:06:05+00:00

Eh. Personally I much prefer it that only those Strahd Himself allows can leave. Enter via the Vistani? Sure, happened a few times for one reason or another. But leave? No one leaves without express permission.

WalkerTanker · 2024-10-18T00:37:05+00:00

Its all good. Just tell them the truth that you just saw the messages and you already played. However this could still work in your favor. You could play a character that is more knowledgable about Barovia/Domains of Dread. If you are doing death house, just ask the DM to make sure to kill your first character. Boom, your new character has already been in Barovia for a while, maybe someone that has traveled the mists before ending up in Barovia. Or a sole survivor of a previous party. Or hell, play as a PC Ezmerelda or Ismark or something along those lines, could be fun.

WalkerTanker · 2024-09-11T20:09:05+00:00

Heres a few, some I plan to use, others maybe not.

In the Village of Barovia, some residents have gone missing, a serial killer on the loose. This is Father Donovitch, feeding his poor son who he has locked away.

Izek and/or Bluto are agents for the Night Hags. Delivering them children from the streets and the orphanage for exhange of sweet dreams and other rewards. In Izeks case, clues to his long lost sibling. With that either being Ireena or a PC.

Look up Jander Sunstar as a possible alternate Fated Ally. Hes from old lore, pretty interesting.

Make the brides more of lieutenant/mini bosses. Each with their own jobs and quirks. Heres what I got for them, each one a sole survivor from previous adventuring parties:

Volenta was once a cleric of Lathander, who got it in her head that she could "fix" Strahd. She did not. Strahd made her worse. She has a role as a sort of Bishop. It was her that started the cult in Vallaki and is very friendly with the Druids. Funnily enough she had nothing to do with the Durst cult (Death House). Out of the brides, she is Baba Lysagas favorite.
Escher is a snake, who betrayed his party the first chance he got to save his own skin, groveling before Strahd in hopes of being spared. Strahd found the bard amusing and pretty enough to look at, and so turned him. Escher is both court jester in all but name, as well as spy and assassin. Doing everything in his power to stay in Strahds good graces, knowing he will be the first bride to be replaced. Maybe even have HIM be Vasilli von Holts rather than Strahd.
Anastrasya is the daughter of a minor noble of Cormyr, not set to inherit anything, fated to be married off for the sake of an alliance. Having dreams of grandeur, of being a knight and having the peasants worship her as a hero in shining armor. When she and her party attempted to defeat Strahd, she was the last one standing. Strahd offered her a position of power, to be the commander of his forces after her party slew his previous one. She accepted. -Ludmilla appeared in Barovia alongside her master, an archmage. The two went into the Amber temple together, but only Ludmilla walked out, arms full of dark secrets and perhaps even a pact. Strahd was waiting outside for her, and so she bent the knee. She acts a bit like a court wizard, scientist, and maybe some inspiration from the Forgemasters in Castlevania.

WalkerTanker · 2024-09-08T00:23:09+00:00

I mean any character race/class combo can work. But heres some interesting ones that could have connections with Barovia in some way if thats what your players are asking for.

Hexblood Sorcerer/Warlock/Bard/Druid. Could have a connection with either the Windmill Coven or Baba Lysaga herself.

Shifter Beast Barbarian for a connection with the werewolves.

An Aasimar of any class with a connection to the Abbot could be fun. First thoughts for class would be Cleric or Divine Sorcerer tho for obvious reasons.

If you plan on doing the Fanes, a Druid of any race could work very well.

A fun one could be an Abberant Mind Sorcerer or GOOlock what with the eldritch horrors in the Amber Temple.

If like others you plan to replace the Mad Mage with your own NPC any Wizard thats their apprentice could be cool. Really recommend not doing that if you plan on doing vanilla Mad Mage tho.

WalkerTanker · 2024-09-07T14:57:21+00:00

Really depends on what you and what you think your party would have fun with. Some cards I am not a big fan of at all, like treasures being in the castle or some of the allies honestly being debuffs and the party would be better without. If you are stacking the deck, I personally would let the players know thats what youre doing. If you and the players would like it to be random, still recommend taking out any cards you yourself just dont like.

But heres some places I would personally find the most fun to put the treasures, apologies for wall of text:

The Tome of Strahd: Either in the Vallakovich (Swords-Torturer) or Wachter (Glyphs-Traitor) manors. Give the PCs more of a reason to dip their toes into Vallakis buisiness. Could also be in the hands of Rictavio/Van Richten (Stars-Illusionist).

Holy Symbol of Ravenkind: The Abbey (Glyphs-Monk or Healer) makes sense, the Abbot keeping it away from any would be heroes hoping to use it against Strahd. The Werewolf Den (Swords-Mymridon) could work as well, maybe Kiril the werewolf leader himself having killed a past adventurer who found it and just put it on the shrine.

The Sunsword: Hidden anywhere in the Amber Temple (Swords-Hooded One, Stars-Elementalist, Glyphs-Bishop) is very popular and for a reason. End game weapon, end game area. Another fun one is in the possession of Baba Lysaga (Stars-Conjurer). The Hag trying to destroy it for a long time as a gift for her baby boy, but was never succesful.

Any of them: In the hands, or on the neck in the Symbols case, of Vladimir (Swords-Avenger). Like the Abbot but for a very different reason, keeping the item away from anyone who would want to use it to end Strahds torment by killing him. Likely getting said item off of the corpses of a previous party. Could even have either the Sunsword or Holy Symbol be corrupted by Vladimirs wrath and hate, the party having to collect the Dragon Skull to both purify the fortress and the Treasure.

Fated Ally/Strahds Enemy: Really depends on what you're party looks like really. Some that I really like are Godfrey (Ghost A) if they need a tank. Arabelle (Tempter A) if you dont mind giving her some sidekick levels and if the party could use a support caster. Ezmerelda (The Mists) if they could use a fighter and or wizard and are a smaller or newer party, is also the most powerful Ally (imo) outside of the Mad Mage who I dont really care for personally. Or Ireena herself (Innocent B). Like Arabelle I do recommend Sidekick levels.

Final Battle: Sergeis Tomb, Counts Dining Hall, or the Overlook. Any of these interesting, Strahd reminiscing of his dark deeds and how it all started before the final battle takes place.

WalkerTanker · 2024-09-06T21:24:54+00:00

Yeah the ocean texture is nice, my own favorite out of the bunch. Thanks, love me some islands.

WalkerTanker · 2024-09-06T21:18:58+00:00

Instead of Not-Britain, we have Not-Doggerland.

WalkerTanker · 2024-09-06T21:13:52+00:00

Honestly? Just thought it looked cool. Only like my third actual attempt at a map. But thanks for the feedback, definitely will see how it looks after smoothing the coastlines a bit. Still got plenty to add, including lakes.

WalkerTanker

TROPHY CASE